Community views sought on golf course land use restriction

Papakura District Council is seeking the community’s views on lifting a restriction on land involved in a project proposed for Papakura Golf Course.

In order for the project to go ahead, the company that owns the course, Honk! Group, needs an “encumbrance” on the title of the land removed for part of the site. When the Council sold the land in 1993, an encumbrance was placed on the title to ensure that it would remain as a golf course.

Lifting the encumbrance does not automatically give consent for the development. The owners will still have to go through normal consenting procedures with both Papakura District Council and Auckland Regional Council. The encumbrance will only be lifted if these processes are successful.

The company is proposing to create what may be a world first development: a combined retirement village and “boutique” golf course that replicates some of the most famous holes in the golfing world.

Clr Peter Jones, who chairs the District Development Committee, says the Honk! Group’s proposal would be a great asset for the community. As a unique development it will attract many people to the area and create an economic benefit to the District.

Lifting the encumbrance would increase the value of the land, and Council would receive a one-off payment of around $1,000,000 in recognition of this increase in value.

“This money could be applied to a range of purposes that would directly benefit the residents and ratepayers of the District. What we need to know is how the community feels about the proposal, and what they wish us to do.”

Clr Jones says for Papakura, the potential benefits of this proposal are significant.

“It will create jobs and generate revenue for the construction sector while the retirement village and golf course are being built, then provide ongoing employment for service industries once the development is established.”

Consultation opens on 27 January and closes at 5.00 pm on 24 February. A feedback form is available in hard copy from Papakura District Council, 35 Coles Crescent, Papakura; at the Sir Edmund Hillary Library, level four, Accent Point, Papakura; and also at the Council’s web site, www.papakura.govt.nz